Chapter 778: Ten Thousand Cities Refuge (2)

Currently, he still had three Divine Powers that had not reached Level 6: the Spirit Casting Technique, the Yin Yang Storage Skill, and the Bone Shifting Technique.

The first two were at Level 5, while the Bone Shifting Technique was only at Level 3.

Shen Bai decided to grind the Bone Shifting Technique first. It required the least amount of Skill Level, and its support abilities were quite good.

With that, Shen Bai made up his mind and began to grind.

Because Amber had begun to evolve, Shen Bai temporarily lost his triple Skill Level bonus, but this wasn’t a major issue for him.

Grinding Skill Level was an inherently tedious and repetitive process, with or without the bonus.

Soon, the room fell silent.

…

Time slowly passed, and in the blink of an eye, night arrived.

The Cangnan Dao Observatory was particularly lively today. A dozen or so tables were already arranged in the courtyard.

Each table was laden with delicacies.

Seated at the tables were all of Cangnan Dao’s most important figures.

There were leaders of influential factions, local officials, and even members of merchant guilds.

They had all gathered at the invitation of Yu Li Xuan, the Daoist Si of Cangnan Dao.

But there was an even deeper reason: Shen Bai.

With Shen Bai attending the banquet, their presence was non-negotiable.

By now, everyone in the Great Zhou Country knew of Shen Bai and his esteemed status.

Therefore, this was an opportunity to get closer to Shen Bai and build a connection with him, an opportunity no one wanted to pass up.

Yu Li Xuan sat at the head table, next to a middle-aged man dressed like a scholar.

The man wore a troubled expression, as if weighed down by a great concern.

This man’s surname was Hao. He was the Daoist Order of Cangnan Dao, holding a rank equal to Yu Li Xuan’s.

Seeing his expression, Yu Li Xuan asked, “Lord Hao, has the matter with your son not yet been resolved?”

Hao Dao Ling snapped back to reality and said with a wry smile, “I’ve already consulted dozens of physicians, but none of them could do anything for his injuries. I’m afraid he doesn’t have much time left.”

Yu Li Xuan sighed, unsure of how to comfort him.

The Observatory and the Government Office in Cangnan Dao had always cooperated well. Far from having conflicts, the two sides enjoyed a remarkably harmonious relationship.

But the matter with Hao Dao Ling’s son was a thorny one, and even Yu Li Xuan was powerless to help.

As the two men fell into silence, Jiao Hong approached and spoke in a low voice.

“Lord Yu, Lord Shen has arrived.”

Yu Li Xuan’s eyes immediately lit up. “Quick, invite Lord Shen to sit here.”

Jiao Hong nodded and hurried away.

The gazes of many people turned toward a corner of the courtyard.

There in the corner, Shen Bai approached at a steady pace, Cold Moon hanging at his waist.

Upon seeing him, many couldn’t help but praise him in their hearts. ‘A true hero in his youth.’

Although Shen Bai was simply dressed in black, everyone present was an expert and could feel the immense pressure emanating from him.

A few even made a subtle comparison, only to realize that next to Shen Bai, they were like sparrows next to a swan.

Shen Bai took a seat at Yu Li Xuan’s table.

Yu Li Xuan immediately began making introductions.

Everyone at the table was a top figure in Cangnan Dao, but they all greeted Shen Bai with a polite, cupped-fist salute.

Shen Bai returned the gesture to each of them in turn.

Then, Yu Li Xuan gestured to Hao Dao Ling and said, “Lord Shen, this is Hao Dao Ling.”

Shen Bai nodded and cupped his fist. “Greetings, Hao Dao Ling. The people of Cangnan Dao are prospering, all thanks to Lord Hao’s excellent governance.”

Hao Dao Ling momentarily cast aside his worries, returning the gesture. “Greetings, Lord Shen. You are too kind. I have long heard of your great renown, and seeing you in person, I see the reputation is well-deserved.”

Their first meeting passed without incident.

Soon, with Yu Li Xuan presiding, the atmosphere grew lively.

As toasts were exchanged, everyone found Shen Bai to be surprisingly approachable, his conduct putting them completely at ease.

Shen Bai, meanwhile, was observing the guests. After scanning them with his Void-breaking Red Eye, he found no one who possessed Innate Wisdom.

It had become a habit of his. After all, having made enemies of the remnants from the Era of Ten Thousand Cities, he had to be cautious at all times.

However, as Shen Bai’s gaze passed over the guests, he noticed a hint of sorrow in Hao Dao Ling’s expression.

After a moment’s thought, Shen Bai asked, “Lord Hao, you seem troubled. Are you encountering difficulties governing Cangnan Dao?”

He asked casually, mostly out of curiosity.

After all, for a man in such a high position, any worries he had would likely concern the affairs of Cangnan Dao.

Hao Dao Ling sighed and drained his cup. A flicker of sorrow crossed his eyes. “Lord Shen, you may not know, but the source of my sorrow is my son.”

“What happened to your son?” Shen Bai asked. “But if it is a sensitive matter, Lord Hao, please don’t feel obligated to speak of it.”

Hao Dao Ling shook his head. “There is nothing to hide; everyone in Cangnan Dao knows about it anyway. To be frank, my son was severely injured, and now even the best physicians are unable to treat him.”

Shen Bai set down his cup.

‘Severely injured?’

‘And untreatable?’

‘Given Hao Dao Ling’s status, he should be able to find the best physicians in the Great Zhou Country. Yet he says the injury is untreatable?’ Shen Bai’s interest was piqued.

He waited for Hao Dao Ling to continue.

Hao Dao Ling poured himself another cup of wine, drained it, and set the cup back down. He began to speak slowly. “Three months ago, my son went hunting in the countryside. It is with some resignation I say this; though I am a Scholar, my son has no interest in books. He much prefers horsemanship and archery.”

“While he was hunting, my son ran into danger. He discovered a secret location out there.”